Meet Shay Dungy of Aubrey Market

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Dungy.

Shay, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Aubrey Market started as a daydream about a year ago. I’m stilled shocked every day that its actually become Aubrey Market, it doesn’t feel real! I had been so lucky to have had my 2nd and 3rd babies in just over two years apart and I literally needed to replace all of my wardrobes! It sounds like an exaggeration, but I was like a lot of new moms, I had never been that size before and suddenly overnight I was!

From a cost perspective, it just wasn’t possible to replace my entire wardrobe at once, so I started hunting for staples and must-haves, on a budget of course! I found that if I were to replace everything from workout gear to daily mom gear to occasional date night attire, it would take me years to really do it. When I asked in mom groups and ladies networking sites where to find affordable pieces but trendy pieces I got the same responses from most everyone.

They were all shopping the same places as I was, trying to follow the big sales and hunt off the clearance rack. I realized there was an underserved niche of women who wanted what I wanted, to be able to have a great shopping spree and not feel guilty. Women usually put the needs of ourselves behind the rest of ones we love so it’s hard to spend a lot on ourselves!

Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, there have been a ton of bumps along the way. Most weeks I feel like Monday begins, I blink twice and its Thursday. I use the saying “I feel like I’m drinking from a fire hose” a lot. At the same time, it’s very exciting to be so busy, it’s really hard to complain!

Aubrey Market has struggled with all the normal things start-up businesses have to tackle, I’m sure. I feel lucky that most of the challenges and hurdles, when solved, have turned out to be happy accidents! When I first started out all I had to go on were a few Pinterest searches about how to start a store. All those articles were great to start a loose business model but its mind blowing all the details that come up that Google can’t help with! If I have to pick just one significant struggle, I find running a business out of my home super challenging. I have a teenager and two toddlers so my house is always crazy!

Sometimes I do quick irrational Google searches on an office away from the house and then I quickly snap back to reality. I definitely want to be home with my kids and business coexisting but I’m not going to pretend its always ideal. Imagine running a business out of your dining room with babies underfoot and a hungry teenager barging in asking whats for dinner. It was and still is a challenge to keep my workspace organized and work friendly and also keep home functional and comfortable. We’re now working in a pretty good groove where my front room, which is the dining room, is dedicated 100% to be Aubrey Market. It’s set up just like any retail boutique.

Most of my work does go on while everyone else is asleep but there are times I have to make calls in the daytime. At first, I was so embarrassed to have to warn vendors or customers my kids may wake up or throw something at me during the call. Now I just take it in stride and my vendors and business partners expect it to sound like a carnival in the background. If its ever randomly quiet some of them will even ask where my kids are!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
All clothing pieces at Aubrey Market are under $20. All shoes are under $30! The dream of Aubrey Market is for anyone who walks in or logs into the store, who may or may not be on a budget, to be able to have a shopping spree and not feel guilty. We carry everything from trendy fringe booties to denim to unicorn backpacks to date night dresses. You never know what to expect.

Aubrey Market really was designed to be a place that women could come and spend $100 and leave (or check out) with several new outfits, a true wardrobe makeover was the goal. Our items are high-end boutique brands and amazing quality so it is really a gem!!

On Friday’s in the Aubrey Market Facebook Group, all the pieces posted are $15 or less. Members of the group will say they log in on Fridays as their treat for getting through the week. You can also elect to pick up your items locally and shop what’s in store, there is always complimentary wine and cocktails, too! One of the perks of picking up instead of shipping!

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love Dallas! Dallas is a great place for any new business to start. Friendly municipalities to file your business documents, favorable taxes, awesome cost of living and great weather for retail shopping all make Dallas a wonderful place for entrepreneurs. It really is the perfect big city to start a business. I might be biased but its hard to argue!

Contact Info:

• Website: Aubreymarket.com
• Phone: 817.682.7464
• Email: shay@aubreymarket.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/iloveaubreymarket
• Facebook: Facebook.com/AubreyMarket

Image Credit:
Alder Grove Photography

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